Kenya: at the bedside of survivors, Ruto evacuates flood-prone areas

Kenyans living in flood-prone areas downstream of two hydroelectric dams have been warned by their government to leave after water levels hit "historic records", as the country battles flooding caused by rains torrential.

Kenyan President William Ruto addressed flood survivors in Kamuchiri village on Tuesday.

“Within 48 hours from tomorrow, all people living in the riverine areas will have to vacate the premises. In Nairobi and across the country, because we do not want to continue to lose the lives of our citizens,” he said. -he declares.

The torrential rains and deadly floods that have hit Kenya since March are among the most catastrophic the country has seen in recent years.

According to the latest government figures, the torrential rains left at least 169 dead and more than 91 missing.

The most tragic event was the death of at least 48 people on Monday when water rushed into a river tunnel under a railway bridge in southwest Kenya, causing a flash flood. The rains displaced more than 100,000 people and damaged roads and other infrastructure.

The devastating rains are the result of a combination of factors, including the country's seasonal weather patterns, man-made climate change as well as natural weather phenomena.